Near Meadows of Dan in Floyd County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Homemade Soap Recipe

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2021

1. Homemade Soap Recipe Marker

Inscription. Take one hollow log “Ash Hopper” filled with ashes. Filter water through ashes to produce lye. Add old fat to lye solution and boil in iron pot. The result: homemade soap.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Blue Ridge Parkway series list.

Location. 36° 45.079′ N, 80° 24.346′ W. Marker is near Meadows of Dan, Virginia, in Floyd County. Marker can be reached from Blue Ridge Parkway (at milepost 176.2), 0.2 miles south of Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the Mabry Mill interpretive trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 266 Mabry Mill Road SE, Meadows of Dan VA 24120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from this marker); Sorghum Making (within shouting distance of this marker); Challenges (within shouting distance of this marker); Lumber Drying Rack (within shouting distance of this marker); Appalachian Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); A Versatile Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Stones

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Bark Mill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meadows of Dan.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mabry Mill

Also see . . . The Story of Appalachian Soap Making. Always a frugal people, the Appalachian settlers used and reused everything, including the ashes from the fireplace. Collecting the ashes from hardwood in an ash hopper, the woman of the house added rainwater (also collected) to make lye. Using water, lye and animal fat or lard, the womenfolk made a gooey soap that effectively cleaned everything from pots and pans to little hands. (Submitted on June 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Homemade Soap Recipe Marker and Iron Pot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 18, 2021

2. Homemade Soap Recipe Marker and Iron Pot

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.